Friday, June 24, 2011

Are you dining green?

POSTED ON JUNE 24TH, 2011 BY NICK 

Green Certificate, Green Dinning, Green Restaurant Association, Healthy living, Recycle program and composting, Sustainable Environmen

Shopping occasionally at organic stores, growing little fruits and vegetables or enjoying more natural provenders are encouraging behaviors that will surely continue to build green-living consciousness to more communities. They would often influence daily practices, improve diets and importantly support eco-living localities. But we sometimes change routine once in a while – enjoying lunches, dinners (healthy of course) in the interest of variety.

Still, do you know if restaurants are beginning to or already disciplined in green behaviors like recycling, eliminating styrofoam and more activities of which some may not ever think of beside the aesthetic appearance or choice on menu of “the” restaurant?

A long existed and successful non-profit organization, Green Restaurant Association (GRA) has lead the efforts to make restaurants go green and maintain a required minimum level of achievements to identify as a Green Restaurant Certified member. Green Restaurant Association is a Massachusetts-based organization helping restaurants with resourceful solutions that aims to reduce baleful environmental impacts and behaviors. Expanding this trend by consumers being informed, pairs with the standards this organization enforces towards their mission – creating an environmentally sustainable industry.

GRA is partnered with various corporations to educate and largely influence the restaurant industry about environmental sustainability and responsibility. Present-day restaurants are assessed for qualification on these categories:

  • Waste Reduction/Recycling
  • Sustainable Food
  • Energy efficiency and conservation
  • Chemical & Pollution Reduction
  • Furnishings and Building Materials
  • Green-living education

Greening restaurants is important because as consumers, we play a significant part not only as a vital piece on the economic consumerism, but also as a balance on sustainability of the environment. Unbeknownst to many, we as consumers weigh heavily on such matters from fast-food chains to sophisticated restaurants; because the pulse of consumers and behavior is the driving force in their businesses.

This does not mean boycotting any restaurant but perhaps try to impart  greening notions towards their activities and encourage those unaware to join the association. It could be one of your easy thoughts and discussion in your next dinning. Grin to a friend about it, this is a green movement.

Tags: 

Posted via email from simplelivinggreen's posterous

No comments:

Post a Comment